On warm afternoons, the Piazza Magione lawn fills up with young people, groups of friends with guitars, and people of all ages enjoying the outdoors while sipping excellent craft beer – the first brewed in Palermo.

This scene is possible thanks to Ballarak, a craft brewery in the heart of Piazza Magione that has managed to transform itself into a true landmark for beer lovers. Its story began in 2013, during a homebrewers’ competition in Messina, where four beer enthusiasts met and formed a bond based on their common passion.

Ballarak

Michele Catalano, one of the founders, vividly recalls how his passion for craft beer started when he was 19 years old and working as a waiter in a wine bar. A number of Belgian craft beers were served there, which were a real revelation for him. Used to industrial lagers served very cold, Michele discovered a new world of beers with unique identities and complex flavors.

This discovery prompted him to start brewing his own beer at home. During his university studies in semiotics and sociology, Michele began to understand the importance of not only brewing beer, but creating a recognizable brand.

Michele Catalano

Through social media, Michele discovered the existence of an association of Sicilian homebrewers that organized courses and competitions, providing a platform to compare themselves with other enthusiasts. It was at one of these competitions that he met Alessio, Eugenio, and Marco. Despite their different personal interests, their common passion for beer united them and led them to dream of opening a brewery in Palermo, a city that still lacked local craft brewing.

After two years of sacrifice and hard work, with the help of a bank loan obtained thanks to a solid business plan, Ballarak opened its doors in Ballarò in 2016. Success was immediate, despite the challenge of bringing a new concept to the city.

Ballarak

“People were used to buying a beer for €1.20,” Michele recounts. “Even my father came home one day with cans of beer bought for €0.39 at the discount store, asking me who would spend €3.50 for a craft beer.” But the four partners’ bet proved to be successful: local customers started to appreciate, taste, and discover new flavors they didn’t even think existed.

However, bureaucratic difficulties and the Covid-19 pandemic put a strain on the project. During the resulting lockdown, Ballarak, a predominantly indoor venue, found itself in dire straits, forcing the partners to rethink their strategy.

Ballarak

In 2021 they decided to move production and the pub to a more spacious venue in Magione Square, with a large outdoor lawn, ideal for ensuring safe service among calls for social distancing. The move represented a considerable risk, a real leap of faith, but also a new opportunity.

“On opening day, I withdrew the last of my savings from the account, to be used as a cash fund. There were 35 cents left in my checking account. I went back to the venue and told everyone: from this moment we can’t spend anymore, we have to cash out to pay the expenses,” Michele says. Despite the initial difficulties, the new location and the dedication of the team allowed Ballarak to recover and continue to grow.

Ballarak

Ballarak now offers 25 different beers, peaking at 40 varieties over the years. Among the most popular beers are the first four beers brewed, whose names were chosen by the four original members each following their own passions: “Sex Pills,” an American Pilsner dedicated to the Sex Pistols; “Avanguarde,” an experimental beer with rye, reflecting a passion for science and experimentation; “Opera” beer, an IPA chosen by one of the partners who was studying architecture at the time and dedicated it to the Sydney Opera House; and finally “Glitch,” a Red IPA dedicated to the world of video games.

Ballarak

In addition to its beer, Ballarak stands out for its focus on values and respect for customers. Michele stresses the importance of not sacrificing authenticity for profit, and the brewery has also sought to establish a close relationship with the Palermo neighborhood and community. Ballarak is not just a brewery, but a cultural gathering place. The venue has hosted stand-up comedy events, introducing an art that is still little known in Italy. Recently, Ballarak opened an outlet in Via Maqueda, a busy tourist area, while maintaining the same prices as the flagship venue. This choice reflects the brewery’s commitment not to exploit tourism, but to spread the culture of craft beer to a wider audience.

Ballarak’s founders’ passion and enthusiasm is evident in every aspect of their business. “First the beer has to convince us, then the customer,” Michele says. “Sometimes, we remake it to improve it, as we are never satisfied. Our beers are good but they can always be better. It is a continuous study.”

Francesco CiprianoFrancesco Cipriano

Published on January 31, 2025

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